Writing about fragrances can be tricky as you not always know which version you bought or have.* Some perfume houses claim their fragrances never change and have stayed the same since they were released and others are more open and honest about it.

But due to changing laws or self regulation certain ingredients in perfumes are no longer permitted. Essences have become scarce (even extinct) or due to financial reasons (to cut costs) fragrances are changed. Do not let any sales assistent tell you otherwise.

Personally I own older versions of Dior Dioressence, Dior Diorissimo, Dior Addict eau de parfum and Dior Diorella. Examples of scents which have been altered in the course of time beyond recognition. It is my opinion perfume bottles should have a date on them in order for a consumer to know which perfume version they are buying and if the formula has been changed.

If you go to the perfume counter and buy a completely different version of Dior Addict eau de parfum than the one you bought some years ago, are you being fooled ? Don´t you (as a consumer) have the right to know a formula or perfume has been changed ?

What do you think, do you have a right to know a fragrance was reformulated ? Have you bought a fragrance to find it was changed beyond recognition ?

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17 Comments

Debbie van ManenOctober 23, 2015 @ 13:43

For years I thought it was me and my nose when a fragrance that I had in the past, smelled so different today! After reading on perfume forums I realized it wasn’t me at all! Most SA in the shops haven’t got a clue either, so I think we ( as in the SA and perfume buyers) have the right to know when a fragrance is changed.

Good point, Debbie, to educate both SA and customers. Had not thought about THE SA as Well to tell them a fragrance had been changed by THE brand they work for. Some of them know but most of them don’t. A lot of my friends had THE same issue with fragrances they used to use. Good to know your nose was right all along !

Hmmmmm, this is a tricky question. For the general population, even if you provide the information about changes, etc., it probably wouldn’t mean much. The perfumistas are a small and different group however as we dive into all the details. For me, I would like to know the dates, changes, etc. but it probably makes no sense for the companies to provide such information. Unlike food items, etc. we’re not ingesting the product so it’s more buyer beware and test before purchase.

For THE general public it would be enough to know if a fragrance was changed considerably especially for people who have been using a fragrance for a long time. But I agree with you, S, as perfume lovers, we want to know everything. But even when you test, you have to know if THE scent you tested is THE same one you are buying. THE only way to know this is by using batch Numbers or something similar.

i think legally we cant force companies but consumers can help create a trend by rewarding companies who are more honest..in the same way we force P&G and other consumer goods companies to be ethically responsible and be honest when they may have changed a product

In THE end it is up to THE legislators or courts to force compagnies to disclose changes. But That be too much to ask of a company to ask for. I agree That we as a consumer could create a trend to be more open.

We have to keep writing about it – again and again and again – and one day it’ll change. For the last 5 years – every time when I had a chance, be it in my own blog or other blogs/FB/Twitter – I and many of us kept telling that we need smaller bottles. And look: there are more and more brands that launch travel/purse sizes now.

My idea was that brands should put a year of production on each bottle – similar to how wine makers do. So even if they don’t announce the change officially, people who care would be able to find some information about “good year” or “bad year” – again, same as with wines.

What a god idea, Undina ! THE wine production date idea ! That would be wonderful. You are right a lot of brands have travel sizes now. So who knows, we might get THE dates as Well. Until then, websites like Raiders of THE lost scent Will have to do.

I agree with the Hound 😉 that this information would not be of great use to everyone. However, I do think SAs should be trained and know about reformulations, and that this info should be available from the firm/brand as well. When I stopped buying fragrances, it was because all of my favourites had been either discontinued or changed (although I didn’t know about it, I just thought my taste had changed), and niche hadn’t quite surfaced yet in my part of the world. I think, if the SAs had known about the reformulations, they could also have pointed me in the right direction to find a new perfume.

SA should be trained to know if a fragrance was changed and allowed to say so as Well. Interestingly recently a Chanel SA pointed out a good alternative for Chanel 19 for my sister, as she does not wear it anymore because of reformulation. It is a very good idea to train SA in That way. Although I can imagine it being difficult as Well, what would a good alternative be for Dioressence ?

I’ve worn Miss Dior (now “originale”) for decades, and keep wondering why it doesn’t smell the same (or if my sense of smell has deteriorated so much that I can’t really “get” the essence anymore). Anywhere I ask, they say it hasn’t changed. I have a tiny bit of “vintage” that still smells right to me, though my sisters think the old & new smell about the same. Having better information would certainly help. Any thoughts appreciated!

I have different versions of Miss Dior and I agree they have changed it. Although fragrances change as Well during THE years sort of like wine so it can be hard to know how a fragrance scented when it wax introduced if you did not know it Well before.

Vintage Miss Dior is one of THE Diors which can still be affordable so I would look for a vintage Miss Dior which has not been opened if possible as buying vintage perfume can be tricky. You can look on ebay Italy for vintage Dior bottles and on perfume shrine to date THE bottles as Well. With Dior I have had THE same experience, SA always say and even a representative That their fragrances have not changed, not even Diorissimo.